JPH08226791A - Air frame launcher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an air frame launcher which allows mounting an air frame having a diameter larger than a cylindrical member that contafins a plasma generator, has a simple construction, is easy to manufacture, can be made small-sized and Iightweight and permits cutting down production costs. CONSTITUTION: A plasma generator has an insulator 11 with a discharge chamber 18 inside, an earth electrode 15 installed in the discharge chamber 18, a central electrode 16, a fusible element 19 that is connected between the electrodes 18 and 19 and melts when energized, and a plasma forming member 24 that generates plasma when the fusible element 19 contained in the discharge chamnber 18 melts. A launching cylinder 26 is supported around the circumference of the plasma generator and an acting element 29 to increase the pressure of the plasma is contained in a housing space 28 provided at the front and in the lanching cylinder 26. An air frame 30 is integrally formed at the front end of the launching cylinder 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a projectile projecting device for use in a cannon, a gun or the like, which projects a projectile at high speed by the pressure of plasma.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a projectile projecting device of this type which has been conventionally used, a projecting device that projects explosives by explosively burning explosives and generating high temperature and high pressure gas is well known. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a launch pad 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a firing pin 52 is inserted inside from the base end side, and an ignition device 53 is embedded in the tip end side. A firing cylinder 54 having a cylindrical shape with a lid is fitted and supported on the outer periphery of the launch pad 51, and a chemical chamber 55 at the tip is filled with powdered explosive 56. The projectile 57 is joined to the end surface of the launch tube 54 by welding.

Then, when the ignition device 53 is ignited by hitting the firing pin 52, the flame thereof causes the chemical chamber 55.
The explosive powder 56 therein is ignited, and the explosive powder 56 burns explosively. Due to this combustion, high-temperature and high-pressure gas is generated in the firing cylinder 54. Due to the pressure, the projectile 57 connected to the launch tube 54 is accelerated and projected.

Since this projectile projecting device can instantly generate a high pressure by the reaction of the explosive,
The projectile can be projected at a predetermined speed. Further, as a projectile of a projectile of another principle that has been conventionally used, explosives are explosively burned in a barrel, which is generally called a gun or cannon, and a bullet is projected by the generated high temperature and high pressure gas. Things are known.

On the other hand, there is also known a projectile accelerating device which accelerates a bullet by utilizing the pressure of plasma instead of the explosive (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-272894). That is, a plasma forming unit and a pressure increasing unit are provided in the fixed container, and a barrel having a barrel is connected to the fixed container. A projectile is housed in this gun cavity so that it can be launched. Then, plasma is generated by the plasma forming unit, the plasma is gasified and expanded in the pressure increasing unit, and the projectile in the gun cavity is launched.

[0007]

However, since the projectile projecting device as shown in FIG. 5 uses explosives,
There is a drawback that there is a risk of erroneous ignition, violent explosion, explosion due to vibration, shock or flame. Further, in the explosive combustion of the explosive powder 56, high temperature and high pressure are instantaneously obtained, but the duration of the explosive combustion is very short, and the pressure drops with the end of the combustion. Therefore, the driving force for projecting the projectile 57 decreases with the end of combustion, and there is a problem that the projecting speed of the projectile is limited.

Moreover, in this projection apparatus, the combustion of the explosive powder 56 needs to be completed before the projection of the projectile 57 is completed, so that the pressure of the projectile 57 is decreased before the projecting of the projectile 57 and the projectile 57's The driving force is reduced. In addition, the volume of the drug chamber 55 gradually increases as the flying object 57 advances, which further reduces the pressure in the drug chamber 55, resulting in a problem that the driving force of the flying object 57 becomes smaller and smaller.

On the other hand, a projectile of a flying object utilizing the pressure of plasma requires a strong barrel to withstand a high temperature and high pressure gas of several thousand degrees, so that it is difficult to reduce the size and weight. There was a problem. In addition, since the projectile is housed in the barrel of the barrel, there is a problem that only the inner diameter of the barrel can be used.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems of the prior art as described above. The purpose is that there is little risk of accidental ignition, explosion, explosion, etc., the pressure does not decrease even if the volume of the accommodation space for accommodating the operating body increases, and the expansion pressure of the plasma can be maintained for a long time. The object of the present invention is to provide a projectile projecting device capable of projecting a projectile at a higher speed by obtaining a sufficient driving force for the projectile.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a projectile projecting apparatus capable of mounting a projectile having an outer diameter larger than that of a cylindrical body accommodating the plasma generator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a projectile projecting device which has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, can be reduced in size and weight, and can reduce the manufacturing cost. is there.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of a projectile projection apparatus according to claim 1, the plasma generator is an insulator having a discharge space formed therein, and the discharge thereof. A pair of electrodes provided in the space, a fusible body which is connected between the electrodes and melts by energization, and a plasma forming body which is housed in the discharge space and generates plasma by melting the fusible body A device in which a projecting cylinder is supported on the outer periphery of the device, a housing space for hermetically housing an actuating body for increasing plasma pressure is provided at the tip of the projecting cylinder, and a projectile is integrally formed at the tip of the projecting cylinder. Is.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the actuation body is housed and held in a predetermined holding container.

[0015]

In the projectile projection apparatus of the present invention, the fusible material is melted by the current flowing between the pair of electrodes, and arc plasma is generated in the discharge chamber. The heat of the arc plasma decomposes the plasma forming body to generate and increase plasma. The plasma further instantly gasifies and expands the operating body in the accommodation space due to its high heat. This expansion pressure pushes the launch tube, and the driving force projects the launch tube and the flying body integrated with it.

Therefore, even if the volume in the storage space increases,
The pressure does not decrease, the expansion pressure of the plasma can be maintained, and the projectile can be projected at a higher speed. Further, by accommodating the actuation body in the holding container, the actuation body is housed in the holding container in advance, and then the holding container is easily loaded into the accommodation space.

[0017]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the substantially cylindrical insulator 11 has an annular engaging step 12 on the outer periphery of the base end portion and an annular engaging step 13 on the inner periphery of the intermediate portion. There is. The cylindrical ground electrode 15 having the substrate 14 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the insulator 11, and the substrate 14 is engaged with the engaging step 12 of the insulator 11 so that it cannot move back and forth.
The head portion 17 of the center electrode 16 having a T-shaped cross section is locked to the locking step 13 of the insulator 11 and its rearward movement is restricted. The discharge chamber 18 is formed on the inner periphery of the tip end side of the insulator 11 and the ground electrode 15.

The electrodes 15, 16 are made of iron, silver,
An electrically conductive metal material such as tungsten, aluminum, or copper, or an alloy thereof can be used. Desirably, iron, an iron-based alloy such as stainless steel, aluminum or an alloy thereof, copper or an alloy thereof, which has good electric conductivity and mechanical strength and is easily processed, is preferable.

In particular, the center electrode 16 has a diameter of 1 so that it can be easily machined and a sufficient current can flow.
It is desirable to have a thickness of mm or more. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a thickness of 3 mm or more. The center electrode 16
It is preferable that the head portion 17 of the head has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the discharge chamber 18 for easy insertion into the discharge chamber 18.

On the other hand, since the ground electrode 15 plays the role of a launch pad, it needs to have sufficient strength, and it is desirable to make the wall thickness as thick as possible. At a minimum, it is desirable to have a wall thickness that is at least one fifth of its outer diameter. In addition, a bolt or a pedestal (not shown) can be attached to the ground electrode 15 for fixing.

The insulator 11 maintains insulation between the center electrode 16 and the ground electrode 15. The material thereof is, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a thermosetting resin such as Bakelite, or the like. Inorganic insulating materials such as pottery can be used. Of these, saturated hydrocarbon polymer materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene are preferable. The insulator 11 preferably has a wall thickness of 1 mm or more in order to maintain the electrical insulation while ensuring the size of the discharge chamber 18.

The linear fusible body 19 is arranged in the discharge chamber 18, one end of which is connected to the inner end surface of the head 17 of the center electrode 16 and the other end of which is connected to the inner end portion of the ground electrode 15. .
As the fusible body 19, an electrically conductive metal material such as a metal such as copper, aluminum or silver or an alloy thereof, an electrically conductive polymer material such as polyacetylene, or an electrically conductive material such as carbon graphite can be used. Soluble body 19
The shape of is appropriately adjusted according to the size of the discharge chamber 18.

Specifically, the fusible body 19 is a fine wire having a diameter that is one-third or less of the diameter of the discharge chamber 18, and has a thickness of 3 mm or less at the maximum or a foil-like shape having a thickness of one-third or less. It is desirable that the thickness is 2 mm or less. The length thereof is longer than that of the discharge chamber 18, and is fixed by, for example, an epoxy resin-based conductive adhesive containing about 80% of silver powder so as to be electrically conductive to the center electrode 16 and the ground electrode 15. .

The power source 20 is connected to the closing switch 2 by a conductor 21.
2 is connected to the ground electrode 15 via
It is connected to the center electrode 16 by 3. Then, the closing switch 22 is turned on, and a current is passed between the electrodes 15 and 16, so that the fusible body 19 is heated and melted, and arc plasma is generated. The plasma former 24 is housed in the discharge chamber 18 of the insulator 11, and the fusible member 19 is heated and melted to generate and increase plasma.

As the plasma former 24, a hydrocarbon polymer such as polyethylene or polypropylene, which is easily decomposed to form plasma, can be used.
The shape can be appropriately adjusted according to the internal size of the discharge chamber 18. Specifically, an agglomerate having a diameter of one third or less of the diameter of the discharge chamber 18 or a rod having a diameter of one third or less of the diameter of the discharge chamber 18 can be used. Further, in order to facilitate the formation of plasma, agglomerates having a diameter of 10 mm or less at the maximum or rods having a diameter of 10 mm or less and not more than the entire length of the discharge chamber 18, and a diameter of at least 0.
It is desirable to use a 1 μm agglomerate or a rod having a diameter of 0.1 μm and a length equal to or less than the entire length of the discharge chamber 18. More preferably, it is easy to handle and easy to form plasma, and it is in the form of agglomerates of about 50 to 300 μm or 50 to 300 μm.
It is preferable to use a rod-shaped member having a diameter equal to or less than the entire length of the discharge chamber 18.

Insulator 11, discharge chamber 18, ground electrode 15,
The center electrode 16, the fusible body 19, the plasma former 24, and the like constitute a plasma generator. The thin film 25 is attached to the end surface of the ground electrode 15 and seals the discharge chamber 18. As the thin film 25, an aluminum foil, a thermoplastic polymer film, a thermosetting polymer film or a paper to which an aluminum foil is attached, a paper or the like can be used, but an aluminum foil having a thickness of 50 μm or less is preferable.

Cylindrical firing cylinder 26 with a lid as a cylindrical body
Is supported on the outer periphery of the ground electrode 15 via a rubber seal material 27, and the firing cylinder 26, the ground electrode 15 and the seal material 27 form a hermetically sealed accommodation space 28.
The sealing material 27 prevents gas from leaking from the gap between the firing barrel 26 and the ground electrode 15. As the sealing material 27, a ring-shaped member commonly referred to as an O-ring using a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, a fluorine-based polymer material, a thermoplastic polymer material, or the like, a coil-shaped member, or a band-shaped member can be used. It is desirable to attach a ring-shaped synthetic rubber having a diameter of about 1 to 3 mm at one or more places.

The particulate actuating body 29 is filled in the accommodation space 28 of the firing cylinder 26, and is gasified and expanded by the high heat of the plasma generated and increased by the plasma forming body 24.
The actuating body 29 is obtained by impregnating a porous body such as cellulose sponge with a liquid such as water, alcohol, liquid hydrocarbon or the like, or a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene in the form of agglomerates or rods, a thermosetting polymer, Cellulose can be used.
Of these, a porous cellulose sponge impregnated with water or a lower alcohol having 5 or less carbon atoms is preferable.

The warhead-shaped flying body 30 has a female screw hole 31 formed in the base end surface thereof, and is screwed and fixed to a male screw 32 protruding from the end surface of the firing barrel 26. Then, the flying body 30 flies together with the launch tube 26 by the pressure due to the gasification and expansion of the operating body 29.

The outer diameter of the ground electrode 15 is equal to that of the flying object 30.
And the inner diameter of the firing tube 26.
That is, in order to prevent gas leakage during firing and to reduce frictional resistance, the diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the firing barrel 26, that is, the difference between the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the firing barrel 26 is 0.05.
mm is preferable. In addition, it is desirable that the rear end of the rear end be projected more than the firing tube 26 in consideration of handling and fixing.

Next, the operation of the flying object projection device will be described. Now, when the closing switch 22 is closed, the power source 2
A high current flows from 0 to the fusible body 19 via the center electrode 16 to melt the fusible body 19, and arc plasma is generated in the discharge chamber 18. The plasma forming body 24 is decomposed by the heat of the arc plasma, and plasma is generated and increased. The increased plasma breaks the thin film 25 due to the pressure and plunges into the accommodation space 28 of the firing tube 26.

As a result, the actuation body 29 in the accommodation space 28 is instantly gasified and expanded by the high heat of plasma. This expansion pressure pushes the firing barrel 26 forward, and the pushing force acts as a driving force to accelerate the firing barrel 26 and the projectile 30 screwed and fixed to the firing barrel 26, and project the projectile 30. And
The projectile 30 is ejected from the launch pad in a predetermined direction at high speed.

At this time, since the amount of electric energy supplied from the power source 20 is proportional to the energy of plasma, the expansion pressure of plasma is controlled by appropriately controlling the amount of electric energy supplied per unit time and the energization time. be able to.

As described above, in this embodiment, the firing tube 2
Since the actuation body 29 is arranged in the accommodation space 28 of 6,
Even if the plasma generated and increased by the decomposition of the plasma former 24 is instantly gasified and expanded, and the volume in the accommodation space 28 increases, the pressure does not decrease. Therefore, the expansion pressure of the plasma can be maintained, and the projectile 30 can be projected at a higher speed together with the launch tube 26.

Moreover, since no explosive is used, there is little risk of erroneous ignition, violence, explosion or the like. Besides, power supply 20
Amount of electric energy supplied from
By controlling the amount, it is possible to control the acceleration characteristics and the maximum speed of the flying object 30.

Further, since the flying body 30 does not have a restricting body such as a conventional barrel on the outer periphery thereof, the outer diameter of the flying body 30 can be made larger than that of the launching cylinder 26 containing the plasma generator. In addition, the projectile projection apparatus of this embodiment supports the launch tube 26 on the outer circumference of the plasma generator, and
Since the projectile 30 is integrated, it is not necessary to provide a heavy and solid barrel and a high-accuracy gun cavity, and a strength that can withstand repeated use. Therefore, the structure can be simplified, the manufacturing is easy, the size and the weight can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, only parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

The holding container 33 is housed in a housing space 28 in the firing cylinder 26, and the housing space 28 is filled with an operating body 29. The holding container 33 may be made of a thermoplastic polymer film, a thermosetting polymer film, or a paper with an aluminum foil attached, but is preferably made of a polyethylene or polypropylene film having a thickness of 100 μm or less.

The wall thickness of the holding container 33 is usually 15 mm or less, but is appropriately set according to the cross-sectional area of the firing tube 26. Specifically, for example, when the cross-sectional area of the launch tube 26 is 75 cm ² or more, the wall thickness of the holding container 33 is 15 mm or less, 12 to 75 cm.
^It is preferably 8 mm or less in the case of ² and 3 mm or less in the case of 12 cm ² or less. In order to maintain the mechanical strength of the holding container 33, a wall thickness of 0.05 mm or more is preferable, although it depends on the strength of the material.

Then, the plasma generated in the discharge chamber 18 breaks the thin film 25 due to the pressure, enters the accommodation space 28, breaks the holding container 33, and gasifies and expands the operating body 29.

In this embodiment, the operating body 29 is attached to the holding container 3
With the configuration in which the actuating body 29 is housed in the holding container 33 in advance, the holding container 33 can be easily loaded into the housing space 28.

The present invention may be embodied by changing the configuration as follows, for example. (A) As shown in FIG. 4A, the outer diameter of the projectile 30 is made larger than the outer diameter of the launch tube 26, and
Welded to the firing tube 26. (B) As shown in FIG. 4B, the flying body 30 is formed in a columnar shape, and the outer diameter of the flying body 30 is set to be the same as the outer diameter of the launch tube 26. In addition, the projecting body 30 is provided with the locking projection 34 at the base end thereof, the firing barrel 26 is provided with the locking recess 35, and the locking projection 34 and the locking recess 35 are engaged to be integrated. According to this structure, the projectile 30 can be easily connected to the launch tube 26. (C) As shown in FIG. 4C, the outer diameter of the tip of the flying object 30 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the launch tube 26, and
The outer diameter of the base end of the firing cylinder 26 is formed to be the same as the outer diameter of the firing barrel 26, and a ring-shaped sleeve 36 is externally fitted to the outer periphery of the firing barrel 26 to be integrated. (D) As shown in FIG. 4 (d), a tapered engagement portion 37 is provided at the base end of the projectile 30, an engagement piece 38 is provided at the distal end of the firing barrel 26, and both are engaged. To be united. With this configuration, the projectile 30 can be easily and firmly integrated with the launch tube 26. (E) Bolting the projectile 30 to the launch tube 26, riveting, or joining together using an adhesive. (F) A wing having a predetermined shape is provided at the rear end of the projectile 30 or the launch tube 26 to make the projection direction of the projectile 30 more accurate. (G) Forming the launch tube 26 into a tubular shape without a lid, and connecting the tip end thereof to the projectile 30.

Further, the technical idea understood from the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The projectile projecting device according to claim 1, wherein the projectile is screwed and fixed to the launch tube with a screw. With this configuration, the projectile can be easily connected to the launch tube. (2) The projectile projecting device according to claim 1, wherein the projectile is fitted and fixed to the launch tube by a fitting member. According to this structure, the projectile can be easily integrated with the launch tube.

[0044]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the volume of the accommodation space for accommodating the operating body is less likely to cause erroneous ignition, explosion, explosion due to vibration, shock or flame. The pressure does not decrease even if the value increases, the expansion pressure of the plasma can be maintained for a long time, a sufficient driving force for the flying object can be obtained, and the flying object can be projected at a higher speed.

Further, it is possible to mount a flying body having an outer diameter larger than that of the cylindrical body accommodating the plasma generator. In addition, it has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and is small in size.
The weight can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the actuating body can be easily loaded into the accommodation space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a flying object projection apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a flying object projection device according to a second embodiment.

4A to 4D are sectional views showing another example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a conventional projectile projecting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Insulator, 15 ... Ground electrode, 16 ... Center electrode, 18
... discharge chamber, 19 ... fusible body, 24 ... plasma former, 26
... Launching barrel, 28 ... Storage space, 29 ... Actuator, 30 ... Flying body.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plasma generator includes an insulator having a discharge space formed therein, a pair of electrodes provided in the discharge space, a fusible body connected between the electrodes and melting by energization, and the discharge. A plasma forming body which is housed in a space and generates plasma by melting a fusible body, and a firing cylinder is supported on the outer periphery of the plasma generator, and an actuator for increasing plasma pressure is provided at the tip of the firing cylinder. A projectile projecting device in which a housing space for hermetically housing is provided, and a projectile is integrally formed at a tip portion of a launch tube. 2. The flying object projection device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member is housed and held in a predetermined holding container.